[nagdu] Rescued pit bulls fight stigma by guiding people in need

Sat Feb 14 23:17:43 UTC 2015

Sent in response to Julie, but not posted here…
Hi Julie,

That’s a fair answer, and I think it’s a fair assessment. Of course, one wonders where the priority really is, where it’s placed in the organization’s mission statement, as opposed to what makes a good headline, or what one particular person’s agenda might be. Of course, it’s all tied together some ways. 

— 
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: 814-860-3194 
Mobile: 814-431-0962
Email: buddy at brannan.name

> On Feb 14, 2015, at 9:24 AM, Julie J. <julielj at neb.rr.com> wrote:
> 
> Buddy,
> 
> Good question.  For me the difference is that Fidelco and the other programs, have chosen the breeds they do because they feel those breeds have the best chance at making a good guide dog.  The breed was selected based on it's temperament, physical ability, trainability and potential.   The pit bull program is choosing pit bulls solely on the basis of changing the breed's reputation.  The dog's individual traits are secondary.
> 
> Perhaps it's a fine line, but I think it's an important distinction.  If the pit bull program had said something to the effect of, "we feel the pit bull has the temperament, and characteristics to make an excellent service dog for this particular population and by the way, it might help to change the breed's reputation."  I don't think I'd have the same issue with it.  It's like using only shelter dogs for a program because you want to save the poor dogs from certain doom.  That might be a nice side effect, but the primary selection criteria for a service dog has to be it's capacity to excel in it's job. The rest is just icing on the cake.
> 
> After rereading this message three times, perhaps what I'm trying to say is that it's about priorities.  Is the pit bull program's intent to change breed reputation or to provide veteran's with quality service dogs?  The priority has to be one or the other and which one is on the topwill determine how they proceed in the day to day operations.
> 
> Julie
> Courage to Dare: A Blind Woman's Quest to Train her Own Guide Dog is now available! Get the book here:
> http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QXZSMOC
> Visit my new website on developing courage and living authentically:
> http://www.falling-up.com
> -----Original Message----- From: Buddy Brannan
> Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2015 8:02 AM
> To: Julie J. ; NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Rescued pit bulls fight stigma by guiding people in need
> 
> Hi,
> 
> Bear in mind that I don’t have a strong opinion on this either way. I have no special love, nor particular dislike, for pits. I do, however, have issues with things like breed ban laws. As has been pointed out, this year it’s the pit. It was the doberman, the GSD, the rottweiler, in years past. In a few years, maybe it will be some other breed.
> 
> But here’s my question. In real terms, what’s the difference between this breed-specific program and, say, Fidelco’s breed-specific program, wherein they raise and train exclusively GSD’s? Or GSD’b nearly breed exclusive program where they train primarily, if not exclusively, Labrador Retrievers?
> 
> —
> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
> Phone: 814-860-3194
> Mobile: 814-431-0962
> Email: buddy at brannan.name
> 
> 
> 
>> On Feb 14, 2015, at 8:23 AM, Julie J. via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> I think it's a very bad idea.  I grew up next door to a guy who raised and trained pit bulls for fighting, so I admit that perhaps I'm biased here. Choosing a breed to be a service dog solely  on the basis of changing the breed's reputation is a mega bad idea.  A service dog must be chosen on the basis of the potential it has to assist his disabled handler. Service dogs are meant to provide assistance, that is their purpose, that is the law.  If that ends up being a pit bull, okay, maybe, I can see that happening once in a while, if an extraordinary dog came along, but an entire program?
>> 
>> I work a Doberman guide, so I get the breed reputation thing.  I didn't pick the Doberman because I wanted to promote the breed.  I chose my dog because I felt she had the best potential for providing me with the type of guide dog I need.
>> 
>> Julie
>> Courage to Dare: A Blind Woman's Quest to Train her Own Guide Dog is now available! Get the book here:
>> http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QXZSMOC
>> Visit my new website on developing courage and living authentically:
>> http://www.falling-up.com
>> -----Original Message----- From: Ginger Kutsch via nagdu
>> Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2015 6:51 AM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: [nagdu] Rescued pit bulls fight stigma by guiding people in need
>> 
>> Rescued pit bulls fight stigma by guiding people in need
>> 
>> By Sue Manning
>> 
>> Associated Press
>> 
>> Source:
>> http://www.observer-reporter.com/article/20150214/LIFESTYLES/150219742
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Former Marine Joe Bonfiglio, 24, and his pit bull assistance dog Zen, pose
>> for a photograph on the campus of Mercy College, in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.,
>> Wednesday.
>> 
>> LOS ANGELES - When former Marine Joe Bonfiglio starts thrashing in his
>> sleep, his pit bull service dog jumps on the bed, climbs on top of him and
>> wakes him up to end the flashback.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> The dog named Zen has allowed Bonfiglio, 24, who was diagnosed with
>> post-traumatic stress disorder after returning from a five-month tour in
>> Afghanistan, to get back to everyday activities. He can now do things such
>> as shop at malls in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., because Zen helps calm Bonfiglio
>> when crowds trigger a panic attack.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> "I used to go to bars with my friends. And war movies. I am not going to see
>> 'American Sniper,"' he said. "It would bring me back to a place I don't want
>> to be."
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Pit bulls aren't the typical choice for a service dog. They are feared,
>> banned in hundreds of cities and blamed for sometimes deadly attacks. The
>> Animal Farm Foundation in Dutchess County, N.Y., wants to change that stigma
>> through a program that trains and donates rescued pit bulls to push
>> wheelchairs or help people regain their mobility and avoid falls.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> The effort faces opposition from those who believe the breed is dangerous.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> The Assistance Dog Training Program is believed to be the only U.S. training
>> school exclusively for service dogs that uses pit bulls from shelters, said
>> Apryl Lea, the foundation's certified trainer. It's placed five dogs that
>> require two years to socialize, train and acquaint with handlers.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> A smaller group, Pits for Patriots, trains rescued pit bulls as comfort,
>> therapy and support dogs for veterans, police officers and firefighters but
>> has yet to place any service dogs. Comfort dogs are pets that get a few
>> weeks of training, while therapy animals receive at least six months of
>> training to help calm people who haven't received a diagnosis as severe as
>> PTSD.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> "Veterans and first responders can identify with pit bulls because they
>> either have seen a lot of trauma or been through a lot of trauma," said
>> Kelly Yearwood, co-founder Pits for Patriots in Chicago, whose group started
>> the same year as the Animal Farm Foundation's program, in 2011.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> The handful of major training schools and a few smaller ones all typically
>> breed German shepherds, Labradors and golden retrievers for the lengthy,
>> costly process to become a service dog.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Shelters nationwide watch for canine candidates for the foundation's
>> program, which trains dogs based on Americans with Disabilities Act
>> guidelines, Lea said. With pit bull breeds making up a huge percentage of
>> dogs in shelters, she has to carefully decide which dogs are accepted. They
>> must have the right build, aptitude and focus to help a person get through
>> life with disabilities or injuries.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> "My job is not just to train the dog but to help the handler be a good
>> trainer, too," she said.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> But the program faces pushback.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> "There are over 100 dog breeds that are far more suitable to perform tasks
>> for persons with disabilities than pit bulls, especially rescued pit bulls
>> with unknown backgrounds," said Colleen Lee, founder and president of
>> DogsBite.org, a national group that tracks bites and works to reduce attacks
>> through bans and other laws.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Pit bulls can be unpredictable and kill or maim when they attack, she said.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> From 2005 to 2014, dog attacks killed 325 people in the United States.
>> DogsBite.org blames pit bull breeds for 62 percent of the deaths.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> "There is simply no need for pit bulls, rescued or otherwise, to be utilized
>> as service dogs for people with disabilities," Lee said.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Pit bulls have helped people like Bonfiglio get back to their normal lives.
>> The former Marine has made such progress with Zen that he's now taking
>> cybersecurity classes at Mercy College in New York.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> "Zen is a fantastic dog; the best thing that's happened to me since I've
>> been home," said Bonfiglio, whose other family dogs also provide comfort.
>> "They are all great supporters. They don't talk back, just put a smile on
>> your face."
>> 
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